Kings Park's Musical Moments Concert Series - Review

On a perfect night for music, Kings Park’s Musical Moments Concert Series filled the bill last night.  At a little before 7PM, in the Russ Savatt Park off Main Street, in Kings Park, people gathered with lawn chairs in hand.  Entertaining us last night were Joanne Amante, vocals, and Frank Walker, vocals and guitar. They ranged easily through a repertoire of traditional, folk, and classical rock, from Beatles tunes to James Taylor.  They had the park rocking, toe-tapping, and singing along to the Turtle’s “So Happy Together”.

The show was hosted by the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce and the Kings Park Civic Association, and sponsored by Clayton Funeral Home, Edelweiss Deli, Marketta USA, Professors Diner, R. Scheider Construction Corp., Ralph’s Italian Ices, SmithtownMatters.com and Winn Drugs.

Nesconset Branch of The Smithtown Library Is Open For Business The Park Is Open For Fun

Purchased from New York State in 1994 for the grand sum of $1 the Nesconset Armory stood vacant for almost seventeen years.  From 1994 until 2008 the building sat rotting from neglect.   For years, Town Government couldn’t decide whether to turn the building over to the library, use it for a recreation center or for a YMCA.  Eventually the building was turned over to the Smithtown Library and on June 30, 2011 the Nesconset Branch of the Smithtown Library opened its doors to the public. On Wednesday, August 3 at 10am a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held and the most controversial branch of the Smithtown library will take its permanent place along side Commack, Kings Park and the Main Branch in Smithtown.

In 2008 voters throughout the town approved a $21 million bond for the expansion and improvement of all the Library’s buildings. The Nesconset Branch, located in rented space in a strip mall since the 70’s, had outgrown its surroundings. The armory, across the street from the strip mall, proved to be a viable facility for a library and community center in Nesconset.

After considerable reconstruction of the building the former armory was transformed.  The blighted building covered in graffiti has become a welcoming, clean and airy library.

The inside of the library is well lit and provides easy access to books, and all types of media.  There are reading areas for children and community areas for children’s programs.  There are designated areas for teens and new computers.  But it is the combination of the Library and the town park outside the library that makes this branch unparalleled in the Smithtown Library system.

Behind the Nesconset Library to the right of the building is a children’s park that is separated by fencing from a children’s water park.  On the opposite side of the parking lot there is a deck hockey rink and a small skateboard area.  There is also a track for jogging and walking, tennis courts and soccer fields.

The Administrative and Business Offices have been permanently moved to the Nesconset location.  The address of the Nesconset branch is 148 Smithtown Boulevard, Nesconset, NY  11767 the phone number is 631-265-3994. The hours of operation for the Nesconset Branch are Monday – Thursday 10am – 9pm, Friday 10 is – 6pm and Saturday 9am -5pm.

The Nesconset Branch of the Smithtown Library will be holding its ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, August 3 at 10:00am.  The Board of Trustees is hoping the public will join them at the ceremony. 

The next Trustees meeting will be held in the community room at the Nesconset Branch on August 16 at 7pm.  The meeting is open to the public. 

Smithtown Main Library and Kings Park Branches are currently closed and will remain closed until the spring of 2012. 

Smithtown's First Couple Making History

By Pat Biancaniello

Couple John Garand, Rene Meyer with Susan Sillaro issuing Smithtown’s first marriage license to same sex couple John Garand and Rene Meyer have waited a very long time for this moment.  Together since 1980 and unofficially married in 1981, the couple watched as other states and countries embraced the concept of marriage for same sex partners.  They knew they would get married some day but didn’t expect it to be in New York.

Rene, born in Switzerland, is a naturalized citizen who grew up in Hauppauge.  John is originally from New Hampshire. They met in 1980 and committed to each other in 1981. They each wear inscribed gold bands honoring that commitment made thirty years ago. Tomorrow, a little more than 24-hours after receiving their license, in a ceremony at Carlyle On The Green along with 99 other couples, they will officially become married partners and spouses.

To say they are happy and excited would be an understatement. Both John and Rene have been active in the movement to allow same sex couples to marry.  They remember a time in the not so distant past when landlords in Manhattan wouldn’t rent an apartment to a gay couple.  Leases were not offered jointly and everything had to be in one name. It was a very different world than the world we live in today.

The couple purchased their current home in Hauppauge seven years ago from Rene’s parents. Their neighbor’s have been very accepting of them and have been supportive in their quest to marry.  Both John and Rene’s family have embraced the relationship and commitment the men have made to each other.  Although John said “ it took a little time for my parents to jump on board. We celebrated with them in New Hampshire a few weeks ago, but at 88 and 91 years of age it is not possible for them to be here for the wedding. The card they gave us stated, “Although we cannot be there for the wedding we will be there in spirit.”

Rene lost his mom a short time ago. His father’s response was excitement and happiness.  His first words were “it is a shame that your mom isn’t here for this.”

Originally planning to elope, they were disappointed that marriages were not performed at Smithtown’s Town Hall.  It was at the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgender) Center in Bay Shore that they were invited to the special ceremony at Carlyle On The Green. The center’s director, David Kilmnick, will act as their witness. They are looking forward to the wedding and are excited about the wedding cake, which they have read about in Newsday. Even though they will not have family with them, the day will be special and they will have happy people sharing the wonderful experience surrounding them.

Both John and Rene have opted to keep their last names.  The couple will be honeymooning in Switzerland where they will celebrate their marriage with Rene’s family.  Rene’s elderly aunt, when learning of the impending marriage after a thirty-year relationship said, “It’s about time.”

Resurrecting 10 years - St. James 9/11 Memorial

By Matt Weber

Less than two months away from arguably the most memorable and somber day in recent American history, the Saint James Fire Department is erecting a memorial in commemoration of the 10 year anniversary of September 11^.  

The memorial, which includes a 14,000 pound piece of metal recovered from the tragic event, is a tribute to all the lives lost that day, including Doug Oelschlager, a Saint James resident, who was one of the first responders from Ladder Company 15. Individuals and businesses around the community have been very involved in helping to bring the memorial to fruition.

Head of the memorial committee and local fireman Tom Donahue is reminded of what it was like days after the attacks on the World Trade Center.  “The community has been outstanding…it reminds me of the days following 9/11, everybody was united, there was no democratic or republican,” said Donahue.  “Everyone was just patriotic, and everyone came down and helped out.”

What was first estimated to be a 75,000-dollar project saw quick cost cutting when businesses from around the community stepped in to do what they could to be a part of the event. Surveying the land, removing tree stumps, laying sod on the site and fund raising the community has really shown how much this memorial means to them.

The only minor complication was attaining the “bowtie” metal that is the centerpiece of the memorial.  Years ago a judge had ruled that before any of the metal was to be used, it had to be searched for any evidence it might hold relating to the 9/11.  Once the judge cleared all the metal for release, fire departments, museums and other establishments that wanted a piece of the historic metal had to fill out paperwork.

“The port authority put together a program where municipalities, museums and fire departments would be able to send in paper work and apply to get a piece of steel,” Donahue said.  “We put the paper work in, which took a couple years, and finally they responded back to us saying we could take a piece of steel.”

Whereas other fire departments received small remains of the fallen buildings, the Saint James branch received a “bowtie” piece that when placed in its base plate will weigh almost 16,000 pounds.

“The piece we got was only one of the two pieces they recovered from the rubble like it,” Donahue said.

The metal cross is currently outside of the Saint James Fire Department on Woodlawn Avenue at the corner of Woodlawn and Jefferson for those who want to see one of the pieces of the North Tower that once stood beautifully in the skyline of New York City. 

The official opening of the memorial will be September 11^th of this year, memorializing not only the life of local hero Doug Oelschlager, but also all those whose lives were tragically lost on September 11, 10 years ago.

No Cable box No Television For You!

If you are one of the many who ignored the friendly recorded message from Cablevision advising you that the drop dead- dead line of July 12^th, 2011 was fast approaching,  or if you hung up before your heard the part explaining that in order to maintain your CURRENT service you would need a digital cable box or cableCard for each television in use in your home, you are in for a very unpleasant surprise when you turn on your TV set. 

Cablevision has posted the following message on your television screen:    

Important Information About Your Service

A digital cable box (or CableCARDtm) is needed to receive this channel.  Please contact us at (866) 580-0535 to have a digital cable box shipped to your home FREE of charge OR visit one of our Optimum Stores.

For store locations, visit optimum.net/stores.

Effective today, if  Cablevision is providing service to your home, you need to have a cable box for each television in use in your home.  If you do not use the television regularly or you want only the basic channels 2, 4, 5, 7 etc. you will still need a cable box. And the cable box is going to cost you.

The price of a cable box from cablevision is around six dollars a month or $72 a year.  If you use more than one television expect to pay the fee for each television.  A customer service representative at Cablevision volunteered that FIOS and other cable companies have been charging per television for some time. 

People I have talked with have indicated that Cablevision may be willing to negotiate on the cost. A man from Commack told me he picked up a cable box at the Motor Parkway site and the fee was waived for a year.  In another case the fee on two boxes was waived .

It is up to you, the customer, to decide if you are willing and able to pay the additional costs.  For some it is a no brainer, I am not going to give up watching my shows I will have to pay– for others it is NO WAY, NO HOW I’m not paying.

Know anyone who wants to buy some slightly used TV Sets?